1908-S $5 MS64+ Certification #37514489, PCGS #8512

Despite the low mintage of just 82,000 pieces, a limited number of high-grade Uncirculated examples of the 1908-S survive. This issue was well-produced by the San Francisco Mint, with generally sharp strikes and fewer handling marks than other S-mint half eagles. Eye appeal is above average on most Choice Uncirculated or finer examples. This smooth and lustrous 1908-S displays all of the positive attributes of the issue, with exceptionally few post-mint distractions. Gleaming orange-gold surfaces flash occasional lilac accents, and the strike is crisp on both sides. Scrutiny with a loupe reveals no significant abrasions or marks on the obverse, and just a solitary carbon fleck (pinpoint in size) on the reverse beneath M in AMERICA. Mint luster flows evenly across the fields and devices.

David Akers (1975/88)

The 1908-S is not as rare, relatively speaking, as its low mintage would imply but it is still reasonably difficult to locate in MS-63 or better condition. There are more gems of this issue around than any of the other branch mint Indian Head half eagle and there are also a small number of really exceptional, nearly perfect specimens. The Virgil Brand hoard contained a number of gems as well as several superb pieces. In summary, this date is hard to find but not nearly as much so as many less publicized issues of the series.

The 1908-S can be one of the prettiest issues of the series. Most specimens have very good to excellent lustre and the color is typically reddish gold or coppery. There are also a number of specimens that have rich greenish gold or bright yellow gold color. The strike on a 1908-S is invariably sharp and the mintmark well defined. There are two basic surface finishes for this issue (the same is true for the 1908-S $10 and $20), satiny and "soft" frosty, the latter finish predominating by a wide margin.